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Monday, February 3, 2014

2014

Today was to be a studio day. Alas Mother Nature and the school system had other ideas. We've 3-5 inches of the white stuff forecast so the powers-that-be decided today is a snow day. My little urchins will no doubt be thrilled. Me...well...another word comes to mind. Anyone care to hazard a guess at what it might be?

Toward the end of last year, I decided that 2014 was to be a year to focus and finish. (hmmm...2 f words and nice ones at that! Who knew?)

You see, I once was an artist who worked and sold seriously - professionally, you might say. That was with my weavings. Of course, it took years to get to that point, but still, I've been there and want to be there again.

I need to focus - both on the business side of art and on creating my art. In exploring various surface design techniques (which is just too much fun), I've come to realize that a large part of the joy, for me, comes from the process itself and can be quite addictive at times.

I'll work and work and finally stand back to realize that yards of
fabric have been produced. And then a little voice in my brain says, Just what are you going to do with all of this?

Of course, the same holds true for photos I take. At brunch yesterday, I took a photo of the empty tables beside us. The sunlight was having a wonderful time creating shadows and reflections among the simple arrangement.

After showing my husband the shot, he said that I should be stock photographer. Hmm...perhaps. Or perhaps I'll explore Blurb and see what happens there.

Another venue for focus is to open an Etsy shop. It's in the works and will open this month. There's the matter of a 7th birthday party to finish planning and prepping before that happens though.

And then there's a web site that needs creating. Not from scratch. Haven't the time nor the inclination nor the know-how. I quite like the platform that Christine and Lotta used called Squarespace.

That brings us to finish. At the 3rd Annual Artist Retreat, all the rusted fabrics from that winter's rusting season were shipped to Pam's. The goal was to come away with ideas for at least 5 pieces. Instead, the number was 17. How many have been completed? Zero. There are 2 that keep whispering to me and that I feel I am now capable of making.

I hear you. There are so many things that we need to do, love to do, have to do, should do.Finishing work that you have good starts on is the first step. Doing that birthday party at the same time....mother artists are jugglers.Hoping to have a professional presence online - also important, but if I had to choose what is the most important - this falls down the list. The birthday party and a fabulous body of work...those two things first. Remember you only have two hands.

Judy, thank you. Your thoughts and advice are invaluable. Something changed...or clicked into place...during the week in Scotland last August and has continued to settle into place since. I think that I'm finally at a point art-wise where I am capable of getting a good body of work together. Stay tuned. And feel free to add your thoughts any time. Truly.

ooo I know what you mean - focus and finish are certainly a challenge when you have little people to tend to.... personal things, including professional practice gets shunted aside .... it comes a distant last behind the myriad of daily tasks (and lovely family moments).... the only 'f' word I'm going to reach for this year is 'FUN' (with lots of exclamation points !!!!!!!!!) and live in the moment..... (and looking at everyone else's wonderful projects - so I'm going to live vicariously through your highlights jen!!)

Ronnie, I can't begin to imagine your day - kids, farm, art and then you were working toward a degree (not the correct word, but the correct word escapes me at the moment, apologies!) which you finished brilliantly. I am in total awe...just in case you'd yet to figure that out.

I love that you are reaching for FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this year. You certainly deserve. Just, please, if I may be so bold as to ask, will you continue to grace us with your art gestures in those moments when you take a wee break from fun? Pretty please?

I admire your determination - it's almost impossible to be an artist and a mother especially when the kids are young! I've been there myself with 5 daughters and now there are grown I'm enjoying having the time for my art practice -(but I still miss them 20 years on!) your time will come but you will never have the joy of little children again they grow up so quickly so just enjoy them ! I love your work!

5 daughters?!? Let me go find my hat so it may be tipped to you my dear. My two little urchins scramble my brain and cause the little patience that I begin each day with to fly right out the window nearly the second they set foot downstairs each morning. How on earth did you survive 5? My girls are twins, as you may have seen from the occasional photo here, and there's a thing about twins that just has to be experienced. Still...5. Right now, all I can think is the raging hormones. Sorry. 7 year old hormones are blurring my capacity to think clearly. And then there are the moments that are so perfect that my heart explodes in my chest and tears fight to be turned lose. Must have been quite fun at your house.

Seven! - > the age of reason! It should start to get easier from here. One day the twins will have so many of their own things happening that you will miss them (while at the same time enormously enjoying more time in the studio, I imagine!). At least this is how is has been for me... And how lucky children growing up in creative households are - chances are they will never be bored, and often grateful for the stores of art supplies/materials in your studio. You have accomplished so much in the couple of years since I discovered your blog - your body of work is both beautiful & impressive. And obviously you have all sorts of possibilities awaiting - a good place to be if you can get your head around the feeling of being overwhelmed. Thank goodness for a fresh new year to encourage reflection & intention-setting. For now, try to enjoy the creativity inherent in pulling together a birthday party...all the while pondering the shop, the website & those 17 ideas : )

Overwhelmed is exactly how I feel right now. Hadn't realized that it came thru in the post. Or is the mother in you recognizing it in another? Thank you for your words and encouragement. They help tremendously!

It's both actually - a combination of empathy & experience! We've never lived in a place where there've been snow days, but I think it's impossible to make it through parenthood without the usual out-of-the-blue fevers, ear infections, etc. - those unexpected things that can throw a working-from-home mother for a loop. I have found that being a mom has definitely gotten easier in the last several years - even as a single parent - but I must say that "life" requires an enormous amount of attention/source of distraction regardless. Maybe that's just me though : )Here's hoping things are back to usual (if there is such a thing!)...

Living without snow days...what a lovely thought...especially as we've now had 2 this week as well as a 2 hour delayed start yesterday. I really shouldn't complain. Connecticut doesn't get anywhere near as much snow as other places. Still...

I really do appreciate your insight Lisa. Now that the girls are 7, people keep telling me it will get easier...until the teen years, that is. I'm leaving for a few years to allow my husband the joy of experiencing double the teen female angst. Maybe I'll do a blog hopping tour...let's see, Australia for Fiona, Susan, Ronnie, Noela, India...Italy to visit you...Spain for Ersi.... Wouldn't it be great?!

Hi J - focus and finish - such small words and yet so demanding. As you say most of us love the creative process; but we find the task of marketing and selling a real challenge - because the operation of shops and gall;tries eat time - time that is spent on the mundane aspects of being a shop keeper - stocking, pricing, promoting, selling, packaging, posting etc etc. However - selling has its benefits including cash to buy more stuff to have fun creating with and space to put more created stuff in. It is about find the balance for us as individuals - ramble, ramble , ramble. Anyway may 2014 find its rhythm for you. B

Barry, by all means, ramble away! You're right, it is about finding balance. Right now, the balance is tipped, but it will even out soon. The girls' party is Sunday - providing this weekend's snow storm cooperates, that is. This wintry weather isn't helping at all.

It sounds like focus has become a part of you already this year - that you're holding the word and its hopes and dreams close and using it to guide to you - fabulous! And finish; well that's a goodie too and as I look round my studio..I know it's one I could keep close as well! Wishing you well as you focus and finish and looking forward to sharing the ups and downs along the way - its going to be great year!

I have every sympathy with you! The process of experimenting is so absorbing and the production of 'pieces' can be daunting. Focusing and finishing are good things to strive for but the juggling of all the other parts of life so often get in the way and complicate things. It may not help to know that others feel exactly the same over-whelmed-ness (not a word but you know what I mean!) but it is certainly the case. Trust in yourself.